Former Michigan Marine held in Iran writes letter to John Kerry

Sep. 11, 2013

This undated file photo released by his family via FreeAmir.org shows Amir Hekmati. Hekmati, a former U.S. Marine held in Iran over the past two years on accusations of spying for the CIA, describes in a new letter the miserable prison conditions he's endured and says Tehran is holding him hostage for use in a possible prisoner exchange. / Hekmati family via FreeAmir.org / Associated Press

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Associated Press

A former U.S. Marine held in Iran describes the miserable prison conditions he has endured in a new letter to the U.S. secretary of state.

Amir Hekmati also says Tehran is holding him hostage for use in a possible prisoner exchange, according to the letter addressed to John Kerry and published by Britain's Guardian newspaper on Wednesday.

Family spokesman Greg Romano told the Associated Press today that Hekmati's sister, Sarah, authenticated the letter. She says the handwriting is her brother's as is the letter's tone.